Cycrin
Generic Name: medroxyprogesterone (me DROX ee proe JESS te rone)
Brand Names: Amen, Curretab, Cycrin, Provera
What is Cycrin (medroxyprogesterone)?
Medroxyprogesterone is a female hormone, usually called "progesterone". It is important for the
regulation of ovulation and menstruation.
Medroxyprogesterone is used to treat conditions such as irregular or abnormal uterine bleeding
and lack of menstruation.
Progesterone or progesterone-like drugs have been used to prevent miscarriage in the first few
months of pregnancy. No adequate evidence is available to show that they are effective for this
purpose. Furthermore, most cases of early miscarriage are due to causes which could not be helped by
these drugs.
These drugs have been used as a test for pregnancy but such use is not longer considered safe
because of possible damage to a developing baby. Also, more rapid methods for testing for pregnancy
are now available.
The Women's Health Initiative Memory Study (WHIMS) found that postmenopausal women
65 years of age or older who were treated with oral conjugated estrogens plus medroxyprogesterone
acetate had an increased risk of developing dementia. It is unknown whether this finding applies to
younger postmenopausal women or to women using estrogen only therapy.
Medroxyprogesterone may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication
guide.
What is the most important information I should know about
Cycrin (medroxyprogesterone)?
Do not take medroxyprogesterone if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. It
could affect the development of your baby.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
Cycrin (medroxyprogesterone)?
Do not take medroxyprogesterone without the approval of your doctor if you have
-
a bleeding or blood-clotting disorder,
-
any type of breast or uterine cancer, or
-
liver or gallbladder disease.
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have
You may not be able to take medroxyprogesterone, or you may require a
lower dose or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
The Women's Health Initiative Memory Study (WHIMS) found that postmenopausal women
65 years of age or older who were treated with oral conjugated estrogens plus medroxyprogesterone
acetate had an increased risk of developing dementia. It is unknown whether this finding applies to
younger postmenopausal women or to women using estrogen only therapy.
Medroxyprogesterone is in the FDA pregnancy category D. This means that
medroxyprogesterone is known to harm an unborn baby. There is an increased risk of minor birth
defects in children whose mothers take this drug during the first 4 months of pregnancy. Several reports
suggest an association between mothers who take these drugs in the first trimester of pregnancy and
genital abnormalities in male and female babies. The risk to the male baby is the possibility of being
born with a condition in which the opening of the penis is on the underside rather than the tip of the
penis (hypospadias). Hypospadias occurs in about 5 to 8 per 1000 male births and about doubled with
exposure to these drugs. There is not enough information to quantify the risk to exposed female fetuses,
but enlargement of the clitoris and fusion of the labia may occur, although rarely.
Therefore, since drugs of this type may induce mild masculinization of the external genitalia of
the female fetus, as well as hypospadias in the male fetus, it is wise to avoid using the drug during the
first trimester of pregnancy. Do not take this medication if you are pregnant or if you
are planning a pregnancy.
Detectable amounts of medroxyprogesterone enter the milk of mothers receiving
medroxyprogesterone. The effect on the nursing infant has not been determined. Do not take this
medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take Cycrin (medroxyprogesterone)?
Take medroxyprogesterone exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these
directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
Take each dose with a full glass of water.
Take medroxyprogesterone with food or milk to lessen stomach upset.
Try to take your doses at the same time each day. Medroxyprogesterone is usually taken for a
certain number of days each month according to your body's natural cycle.
Store medroxyprogesterone at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Do not take a double dose of this medication
unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
What happens if I overdose?
A medroxyprogesterone overdose is unlikely to threaten life. Call an emergency room or poison
control center for advice.
Symptoms of a medroxyprogesterone overdose include nausea, vomiting, fluid retention
(swelling of the hands and feet), breast discomfort, and vaginal bleeding.
What should I avoid while taking Cycrin (medroxyprogesterone)?
Avoid smoking while taking medroxyprogesterone. Smoking greatly increases the risk of
blood clot formation.
Avoid excessive salt intake. Too much salt may cause fluid retention and discomfort.
Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. Medroxyprogesterone may increase the sensitivity of
your skin to sunlight. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when exposure to the sun is
unavoidable.
Cycrin (medroxyprogesterone) side effects
Stop taking medroxyprogesterone and seek emergency medical attention or call your
doctor immediately if you experience any of the following serious side effects:
-
an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat;
swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
-
shortness of breath or pain in your chest;
-
a sudden severe headache;
-
visual changes;
-
a painful, red, swollen leg;
-
numbness or tingling in an arm or leg;
-
prolonged, heavy, vaginal bleeding;
-
stomach or side pain; or
-
yellowing of your skin or eyes.
Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to
take medroxyprogesterone and talk to your doctor if you experience
-
changes in appetite or weight,
-
swelling of your hands or feet,
-
changes in your menstrual cycle,
-
depression,
-
acne,
-
an increase in body or facial hair or hair loss,
-
tenderness of the breasts,
-
nausea,
-
headache or insomnia,
-
changes in your voice, or
-
areas of darker skin.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor
about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect Cycrin (medroxyprogesterone)?
Before taking medroxyprogesterone, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following
medications:
-
insulin or an oral diabetes medicine such as glipizide (Glucotrol),
glyburide (Diabeta, Micronase, Glynase), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), tolazamide (Tolinase),
and tolbutamide (Orinase);
-
bromocriptine (Parlodel);
-
aminoglutethimide (Cytadren);
-
phenobarbital (Solfoton, Luminal); or
-
chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin),
mesoridazine (Serentil), perphenazine (Trilafon), prochlorperazine (Compazine), promazine
(Sparine), thioridazine (Mellaril), or trifluoperazine (Stelazine).
You may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment
if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.
Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with medroxyprogesterone. Talk to your
doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines including vitamins,
minerals, and herbal products.
Where can I get more information?
-
Your pharmacist has additional information about medroxyprogesterone written for health
professionals that you may read.
What does my medication look like?
Medroxyprogesterone is available with a prescription under several brand and generic names.
Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.
-
Provera 2.5 mg--round, orange, scored tablets
-
Provera 5 mg--hexagonal, white, scored tablets
-
Provera 10 mg--round, white, scored tablets
-
Cycrin 2.5 mg--oval, white, scored tablets
-
Cycrin 5 mg--oval, light-purple, scored tablets
-
Cycrin 10 mg--oval, peach-colored, scored tablets
-
Amen 10 mg--two-layered, peach-and-white, scored tablets
-
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your
medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
- Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is
accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be
time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the
United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless
specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend
therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners
in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for,
the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or
drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or
appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare
administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover
all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have
questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Copyright 1996-2006 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 3.07. Revision Date: 3/10/05 11:14:20 AM.
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